double-bass
(ˈdʌb(ə)lˈbeɪs)
[f. double a. 4 b + bass, after the Italian name contrabasso.]
A musical instrument, the largest and deepest-toned of the violin class, having three or four strings, usually tuned a fourth apart.
| 1727–52 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Violone, A double bass almost twice as big as the common bass violin. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France I. 176 Girls handling the double bass. 1856 Mrs. C. Clarke tr. Berlioz' Instrument. 40 To double-basses belong..the lowest sounds of the harmony. |
| attrib. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xvii, ‘Harm them not!’ exclaimed Kettledrummle, in his very best double-bass tones. 1880 P. David in Grove Dict. Mus. I. 458 Bottesini and ..other celebrated double-bass players. |